MEMBERS of Tavistock Athletic Club have been busy racing over the last two weekends.

Chris Eastaugh achieved a magnificent personal best of 3h 22m 58s in The New Forest Marathon on September 21. His time was an astonishing 22 minutes faster than his debut at the London Marathon earlier this year.

At the end of this month he and club-mate Allan Herdman will fly to Dublin to take part in the prestigious Dublin Marathon where they are hoping to make a good impression.

While Chris was busy running his 26.2 miles, five of the Tavistock ladies were contesting the Newton Abbot Ladies' 10k. First home for the club was Fiona Dunn in 34th place, closely followed by Nicole Heryet in 35th. Ann Sturtridge also ran well to achieve third place in her age group.

34, Fiona Dunn, 47m 56s; 35, Nicole Heryet, 48m 06s; 64, Ann Sturtridge, 52m 08s (3rd Vet 55); 168, Beryl Bowles, 62m 56s; 201, Helen Bond, 65m 41s. 271 finished.

Last Sunday an impressive 27 club members took part in the Autumn Trail at Newnham Park, Plympton. With 750 entries the trail is one of the major events in the south west and the standard of entry is high.

Sunshine and firm going underfoot ensured a fast race, but with some steep hills and four river crossings it was not a race for the faint hearted.

First home for Tavistock was veteran Charles Lloyd in 41st place. Robin Musgrave (60th) was narrowly beaten by his son Adam but achieved third place in his age group.

Once again Fiona Dunn and Nicole Heryet were the club's leading ladies.

This was the final race in the club's Grand Prix series (results next week) so there was a big celebration in the Cornish Arms that evening.

41, Charles Lloyd; 59, Adam Musgrave; 60, Robin Musgrave (3rd Vet 50); 107, Michael Lewis; 108, Allan Herdman; 129, Chris Eastaugh; 145, Pete Bazley; 195, Robert Dawe; 208, Roger Hewitt; 224, Rob Kirby; 225, Fiona Dunn; 290, Nigel Rendle; 299, Nicole Heryet; 326, Keith Bowles; 342, Adrian Bower; 363, Annette Roberts; 471, Carolyn Dawe; 487, Carole Edwards; 511, Katrine Green; 539, Anna Johnson; 541, Graham Shillabeer; 543, Daniel Bates; 557, Rhian Johnson; 558, Marion Playle; 559, Judi Turner; 594, Helen Bond; 599, Beryl Bowles. 624 finished.

To find out more about racing, jogging and training in Tavistock visit http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com or phone Tim on 890811.